Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth shrugged off any suggestion of a second string line-up for Saturday’s Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Australia at Emirates Airline Park when he gave his captain’s media conference on Friday.

The big lock will lead a squad featuring a Springbok centurion, three half centurions and five more players with more than 35 caps, including players who have claimed the SA Rugby Player of the Year award in three of the last four years.

“We all have a responsibility when we pull on that jersey and that lies with the 23 in South Africa as much as anyone else,” said Etzebeth.

“There’s not much difference between the guys who are here and the ones on their way to New Zealand. I don’t think the team could have been picked much stronger. This is a very strong team we have picked, and I have a lot of confidence in them for tomorrow’s Test.”

Etzebeth said that there was competition for every position in the squad before welcoming the three debutants, Rynhardt Elstadt (looseforward), Herschel Jantjies (scrumhalf) and Lizo Gqoboka (replacement prop).

“I’d like to congratulate them and say how much we’re looking forward to seeing them play,” said Etzebeth.

“I don’t think I need to say too much about Rynhardt – he is very tough. I’ve never played against him but those who have tell me that he is quite a tough nut.

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“I asked Herschel a few weeks ago what he was doing this time last year and he said he was in and out of the Currie Cup mix. I asked him if he ever wondered if he would be playing of the Springbok and in with a chance of going to the World Cup a year later and he said, ‘no way’.

“I’ve seen him grow at the DHL Stormers, he proved what a good rugby player he is and a great scrumhalf and I must say I enjoy his company quite a lot off the field as well.”

Etzebeth leads the team for the 12th time: “It’s a massive honour, great to be running out in front once again but it’s not about me. There’s lots of guys who have got my back – guys such as Francois Louw, ‘Beast’ (Tendai Mtawarira) and others who have lots of experience.

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The Cell C Sharks travelled to the Manuka Oval in Canberra in 1996 for a Vodacom Super Rugby clash and despite starting very well, four tries by Wallaby speedster Joe Roff meant the home team came away with a thrilling 44-31 victory.

It was the Vodacom Bulls' third Vodacom Super Rugby final in four years and they celebrated in style, winning this all-South African affair against a very good DHL Stormers outfit by 25-17 at a packed (and very noisy) Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

As a playmaker for the Springbok Sevens team, Justin Geduld is often confronted with making important decisions: “stick with the planned move” or “is there another option” are two choices regularly faced by the Blitzbok flyhalf on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

After beating the Wallabies in their RWC opener, the Springboks faced Romania and Canada in their final two pool games and with a spot in the quarter-finals within their reach, Kitch Christie's men did what was necessary in two tough encounters.